Pillow



E. J. BARCALO Oct. 3, Y1933.

P ILLOW Filed Nov. l0. 1932 MWF@ Patented Oct. 3, 1933 PILLOW Edward J. Barcalo, Bualo, N. Y., .assignor to Six-Way Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 10, 1932 Serial No. 642,091

ia claims.

This invention relates tor pillows or cushions' such as may be used on beds or lounges, and also to support books, magazines, and the like in convenient reading positions. e

6 Y An object of the invention is to provide a pillow or cushion which may also be used to support books, magazines vand the like adjustably in various convenient reading positionsf Another object of the invention'is 'to provide an improved pillow or cushion which may be used to 'support a person in al variety of different, comfortablepositions or postures, Vand which may also be used tosupport'books, Vmagazines or similar articles in an inclined position convenient for reading, when theip'illow or cushion isl disposed upon the lap of, or in frontY of, the reader; with which the inclination ofthe articles so supported may be varied with which the pages of a book or magazine may be' confined against movement 20 while so supported by the pillow; and whichA is relatively simple, convenient, attractive inl ap'- pearance and inexpensive.

`A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pillow of this type which is adapted to receiveiand hold variousarticles whose use is temporarily undesired.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent fromthe following description of several embodiments of the invention, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter vin connection with the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig.. l is a perspective of la pillow constructed in accordance withthis invention, and' illustrating one embodiment thereof; i

4 Fig. 2 is alongitudinal, sectional elevation of the'sarne, to illustrate the interior construction thereof' and also means for adjustingthe lcom-' 5 Fig. 6 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of p art of the case of the pillowat one of the small pocketswhich supports thebook rest;

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the book rest of the same;

Fig. 8 is an lenlarged view of a portion of the Y lengthening the stay or tie device 16, the ends of The stay 16 may be either elastic or inelastic Aas pillow to show one of the hooks to which an elastic cordris attached; o l

Fig. 9 is a perspective of another pillow, similar to that shown in Fig. l but illustrating a slightly dilier'entV manner of supporting' the rest shown 60 in Figpl; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective of still another pillow constructed in accordance with the invention but-illustrating another embodiment Vof the book rest. Y

` `In the embodiment of the invention' shown in Figs.` 1 to 8,' the pillow includes a sack or case 10,01 flexible sheet material, such as textile `fabric,` or leather, which is completely'lled with a soft,

loose, yielding or elastic lling or stufling 11, such as hair, cotton, wool, kapok, feathers or any other suitable soft and more Vor less pliable or resilient illingmaterial. This filling material is inserted into the sack or case without material compression or vthe filling material so as to make the pillow soft, pliable, and elastic, in contrast to mattresses, pads, cushions, and the like in, which the filling material is materially compressed in filling, and

is relatively rrnV andv only slightly yielding. The ends 12 of the case or sack are triangular in shape, 80 being preferably obtuse angled triangles, the obtuse` angle of eachend beingslightly more' than A and Vthese, triangular ends are connected by rectangular faces 13, 14 and 15. Such a pillow is, therefore, triangular in transverse cross sec tion. v`The edges of the `triangular ends are preferably nearly, but not Aequal in length, and all the angles of.` the triangle lalsoare preferably unequahso that 'whenthepillow is supported upon different side faces, the other side faces will make 99 ldifferent inclinations to the supporting surface.

.The lengthof the pillow is lpreferably somewhat v less or not longer Vthan that of the usual-pillow or cushion, and each edge of each triangular end has a length of'at least approximately ten inches. 5

Arstay, draw string, ortie device 16 preferably extends through the pillow Yfrom end face to Vend face,V is carried through Vapertures protected' by grommets in the end faces and adjustably attached to buttons 17, so that by tightening the 100 stay ror tie devicefl, which may f or convenience be a cordorribbon, the ends of the pillow may be drawn together to different extents. By

the pillow maybe allowed to bulge out to different extents, and when the lling is so displaced by the bulging of the ends, the inclination of the different faces of ythe pillow will change to some extent.

desired.

A loop 18 of suitable tape may be secured to the pillow at any suitable point, such as to the case or sack along the piping at one edge thereof, as shown in Fig. 1, and this loop forms a convenient 5 handle by which the pillow may be carried, or hung up when not in use. The faces of the pillow may be quilted or not, as may be desired, (see Fig. 1')v and one V4of the faces, such as the face 14, may have a pocket 19 formed therein and opening in a direction endwise of the pillow. Various articles, such as glasses, handkerchiefs, small magazines, or other similar articles may, when not in use, be disposed in such a pocket. Such a pocket may easily be formed by forming the face 14 of two superposed layers of fabric of different lengths which are stitched together along the edges of the pillow.

A pillow of this type may be used in various different positions, such as to form props at different inclinations for a person desiring to sit or be supported in different postures or at different inclinations. To -such a pillow or cushion I add a rest which cooperates with the side Vfaces of the pillow to support books, magazines, or similar -3 articles in inclined reading positions. For example, the case or sack mayl be provided, upon one or more faces, with narrow pockets or loops 20, thesepockets being arranged in pairs along opposite side edges of the pillow, the pockets along 3513;-, or adjacent one side edge of the, pillow opening toward the pockets adjacent the opposite side edge of thesame face of the pillow. A bar 21 serves as the rest and is provided with depending angular feet' 22 whichare received in the pockets Y 3,53A 20 along either side edge of a side face of the pillow,as'shown in Fig. 1. l The bar or rest 21 thus forms ya angeor ledge extending away from the side face of the pillow against which it is placed, and holds a book magazine or other article 49 A, that may rest upon this inclined face of the pillow, from sliding down this inclinedvface. For example, vin Fig. 1, this rest or bar 21 is adjacent the lower edge portion of the face 13 when the pillow is resting upon the side face 15.

vBy turning the pillow over upon another side f.ace,.the side face 13 will make a different inclinationto the horizontal or to a supporting surface forthe pillow, because the dihedralA angle between the faces 13 and 14 is different than the 59 dihedral angle between the faces 13 and 15.

When the pillow is tipped over or turned to rest upon the face 14the rest 21 should be removed fromthe position shown inFig. 1, reversed end to end, and the* feet 22 ,ofY the bar theninserted D5 into the other pair of pockets 20 along the opposite side edge of the face 13. The pockets 20 may be patch pockets or internal pockets. Similar pairs of pockets 20a maybe provided upon the faces 14 and 15` adjacent the side edges of those faces which meet the face 13.

forv the ,pillowV when the pillow rests upon this largest face and the other faces 14 and 15'A then g are used as the inclined faces to support the books or other articles.

The rest'21 is attachable to the pockets 20a provided upon tne faces 14 and 15 inthe same manner that itis attachable to the pockets 20 of the face 13, and'should be placed upon the face of the f0- pillow which givesthe proper inclination to the magazine, book, or other article which the reader desires to place thereon. In orderrto keep the pages of a book or magazine resting upon the rest 21 from turning unintentionally, Imay provide .'small hooks 23 at both ends of eachfof the faces The face13, being thel largestfaoe, may provide'a more stable support' 13, 14 and 15 so that an elastic cord 23a, such as a rubber band, may be engaged releasably with the hooks at the end of any side face of the pillow and stretched therebetween so as to extend over the book, magazine, or other article that is resting against that face of the pillow. Obviously, the elastic cord may be stretched in order to facilitate the removal of the book or magazine or to enable one to turn the" pages thereof. The hooks 23 may, for convenience, be the small hooks forming a part of hook and eye units used on ladies garments or small buttons and would not interfere with the normal use of the cushion. The band 23a also could be hooked at its ends over the buttons 17.

Referring now to Fig. 9, the pillow 24 is similar to the pillow illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, except that the pockets 20 and 20a may be replaced by small loops 25 along the piping at the ends of the pillow to receive the feet 22 of the rest 21. Such vloops may, for convenience, be formed of small pieces of tape which are secured to the piping at the end edges of the pillow, and may properly be considered as pockets.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 10, the pillow 26 is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 9except that in place of the rigid rest bar 21 and ythe pockets or loops on the pillow which releasably support the rest 21, I provide, as the rest, shallow pockets 27 extending in directionsfromend to end of the pillow on one or more faces at approximately the positions occupied oy the rest 21 on the pillow shown in Figs. 1 to 9. These shallow pockets open toward the opposite side edges of the same face of the pillow, and receive and serve as a rest for books, magazines, or other similar articles which one may desire to support upon an inclined face of the pillow. A book or magazine A is shown so supported in this manner by a rest or pocket 27 in Fig. 10. The pockets 27 may, for convenience, be formed by running a narrow strip of fabric from end to end of the pillow, adjacent to, but spaced somewhat from, each side edge of the face, and securing it at its ends to the pillow.

The edge of the strip nearest the adjacent side edge of the pillow is also secured to the pillow to provide a pocket of shallowl depth opening toward the opposite'side edge of the same side face of the pillow. With this arrangement, it is unnecessary to have the elastic cord to hold the pages from unintentionally turning because the shallow pocket will lreceive only a portion of a book or magazine at its lower` end but just enough of it to hold the book or magazine open at any page selected. To turn a page, it is merely necessary to lift the book or magazine out of the Ashallow pocket, turn the page, andslide the book These pockets*` or magazine back into the pocket. may be provided on one or more of the side faces of the pillow to'take the place of the pockets or loops which support the rest bar 21 on the pillow.,

It will be observed that the pillow constructed in accordance with this invention may be used to support a person in different, more or less inclined or upright postures by rturning lthe pillow' 1,928,806 `which'will present an inclined face Vfacing the readerand makingthe desirediangle to the-lap or other support for the pillow. One may press Yupon the pillow with oneshand to change its i fInFigs. 1 Vto 9, the rest bar 21 is attached to theV pillow adjacent the lower edge of the inclined face which is used to support the book or magazine, 4and infthe embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 10, the book or magazine is slid slightly at itsv lower end into the shallow pocket 27 along the lower edge of the same inclined face. When the magazine or book is not in use, it may be disposed in the pocket 1'9 on the face 14 where it will always beA` 'conveniently accessible.` `Such apillow is of particular value for invalids or semi-invalids, and greatly lessens the amount of service and attention which attendants must give i to-such invalids. Y

Different people, because of different personal eye conditions, or because of particular eye glasses used, find it desirable, and often necessary, when reading to have the book orv magazine being read, supported at just the proper position and inclination in front of them This positionr -inclinationI Yof theA book or magazinemust frequently' be changedwhen the reader changes his position.

For example, if a person is propped up in bed and attempting to read, the position or inclination ofthevbook or 'magazine being read will change with thechangesin the position of the reader. somewhat, the inclinationY of the book or niagazine should beincreas'ed, ai. if=the` reader sits up more erectly, then the inclination of the bo'ok or magazine can be, and often should be, de-

creased. `The position ofthe book or magazine` is particularly important-when used for invalids where heavy or rigid magazine supports resting f upon the lap would be very uncomfortable to the reader. The pillow also conforms itself'sornewhatl'to the lapandconsequently is more stable than would be` a rigid'or smooth support.- -The pillow also, because of its softness, will not'slip along the lap, especially at each 'slight movement Vofthe reader. l

` The'pockets 20 in Figs. 'Alito 8 are shown as in thenature of patch pockets, but itwill be understood that internal pockets opening ,externally only as v`slits or small apertures are equally useful and maybeused instead. While I have describedV my preferable form of the invention as embodied in apillow filled with loose, pliable, elastic material, itwill be understood that the pillow may be formed of other soft or elastic material within Vthe If the reader-,slides down into the bed art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressedin'th'e appended claims.

l. A pillow comprising a case filled with relatively soft, elastic material, said pillow being substantially triangularA in transverse cross section and of approximately pillow length, the angles of the triangle being unequal and the three Vsides of the triangle having unequal lengths, a rest extending in a direction lengthwise of the pillow and adjacent the lower edge of one inclined side face of thepillow, and means carried by the pillow and engageable with said rest for removably attaching it thereto. Y f* 2. Apillow filled with relatively soft material `and being, in transverse cross section, of polygonal shape, 'a rest disposed in a position to'extend endwise of one of the side faces of the pillow vand adjacent a side edge thereof, and means removably confining saidrest to said pillow, Whereby when said sideV face is uppermost and in an -inclined position, abook, magazine or similar article may besupported on said rest and pillow Vinfa position convenient for reading.

:3. A pillow filled ,with relatively soft material and being polygonal'in shape in transverse cross'1 ilar article-disposed flat against that side face in a'convenient reading position.

4. A pillow filled-with relatively soft material, a rest extending -in a direction lengthwise of the pillow over one side face thereof and adjacent an edge thereof, whereby it'lwill support a book, mag- 1 az'ine or similar article resting thereon and lying fiat againstV that side face, and means extending from end to end of the pillow at a point between' saidv rest and thev opposite edge of that side face forfconfining said books, magazine or similar ar- Y ticle'to that side face of said pillow.

` 5. A pillow filled with relatively soft material and being triangular in shape in transverse crosssection, Va rest extending in a direction lengthwise offthe pillow over one side face thereof and` adjacent an edge thereof, whereby` it will support a book, magazine or similar article-resting thereon and lying flat against that side face, and a hook "secured tol each end'portion of the pillow intermediate the opposite side edges of said side face of said'pillow, whereby a flexible cord may be connected between said hooks to confine said book, magazine or similar article to said'side faceV of said pillow and hold the pages of said book, magazine or article in a fiat position against said pillow. 4 Y

6, A pillow comprising a case filled with a relatively soft material and being substantially tri- -angular in transverse cross section, the angles.

and edges of the triangle being unequal, a rest, and means adjacent the side edges of the largest face of said pillow for confining said rest removably `to said face along Yeither of those side edges, whereby a book, magazine or similar article may be supported on saidrest against said largest face and in an inclined ,positio'n'thereom whether said pillow is resting lupon one or the other of its other` side faces.

V'7. A pillow comprising-a fiexible sack filled with relatively soft elastic material, said pillow being approximately a right triangle in transverse cross section, with the legs of the triangle unequal in length, and a rest extending in a direction lengthwise of the pillow over a face thereof and adja- 150 centV a side edge portion of the pillow, whereby a.

book, magazine or similar article may be supported by said rest on an inclined face of said pillow V'8. A pillow comprisingl a flexible sack filled with relatively soft, elastic material, said pillow being approximately a righttriangle in transverse cross section, with the legs of the triangle unequal in length, a rest extending, in a direction lengthwise of the pillow over a 'face'thereof and adjacent a side edgeportion of the pillow, whereby a book, magazine or similar article may bev supported by said rest on an inclined face of said pillow, and a stay connecting Yopposite end faces of said pillow and selectively adjustable in length. I f f 9. A pillow comprising a flexible case filled with relatively soft, elastic material, said pillo-w being triangularin transversecross section, and with the legs of the triangle unequal in length, said case having pockets formed in one side face thereof, and a rest engaged releasably in said pockets and extending in a direction lengthwise of and across a side face ofthe pillowbut adjacent a side kedgerof the pillow, whereby when the side face having the rest is in van inclined position with said side edge lowermost, a book, magazine or other'article may be supported in an inclined position on said face of the pillow by said rest;

10. A pillow comprising a fiexible case filled with soft, elastic material, said casev being triangular in transverse cross section, andmeans releasably attached to said pillow, adjacent opposite ends thereof, so as to extendin a direction lengthwise of said pillow but somewhat spaced from an edge thereof, whereby when a book, magazine or other article is supported on a face of said pillow, said means will' aid in confining saidarticle to the pillow. j Y' 11. A pillow comprising a flexible sack filled with` relatively soft, resilient material and substantially triangular in transverse cross section, and abar having legs extending therefrom and releasably attachable to said pillow so that the bar may extend in a direction .endwise of the pillow andengage a side face thereof, whereby when a book, magazine or other article isplaced onV said face ofrsaid pillow while said vface is in an inclined position, said article may be held against downward sliding movement .thereon by said bar.

12. A pillow comprising a' case formed of freely flexiblelsheet material and completely filled with a relatively soft, loose, elastic material, said pillow being substantially triangular in transverse cross section, with the angles of the triangle unequal of thek side faces of the pillow for -preventinga book or magazine resting on that side face of the pillow from rsliding off the pillow when that face is in an inclined position.

13. A pillow comprising a case formed of freely flexible sheet material and filledwith relatively soft, loose, pliable, resilientgmaterial, said case y being completelyfilled without material compression of the fillingmaterial, and means extending in a direction endwise of, the pillow on one or 'more sideV faces thereof for limitingthe sliding of a book lor magazine down that side face of the pillow when that face is in an inclined position.

14.1 A pillow comprising a case formed of freely flexible sheetmaterial and filled with relatively soft, loose, pliable, resilient material, said case being completely filled without material compression of the filling material, but being substantially triangular in transverse cross section, means extending in a direction endwise of the pillow on one or more side faces thereof for limiting the sliding of a book or magazine down that sideV face of the pillow when that face is in an inclined position, the dihedral angles between the side faces of the pillow being unequal, and the largest angle being about a right angle, whereby the different side faces of the pillow when uppermost will make different inclinations to the supporting surface of the pillow and will provide inclinedsupports at different inclinations for books or magazines resting thereon.

15. A pillowcomprising a cas'e formed of freely exible sheet material and filled with relatively soft, loose, pliable, resilient material, said casel being completely filled without material compression of the filling material, but being substantially triangular in transverse cross section,

meansextending in a directionl endwise of the pillow on one or more side faces thereof for limiting the sliding of a book or magazine down that side face of the pillow when that face is in an inclined position, the dihedral angles between the Ysidefaces of the pillow'being unequal and the edges ofthe triangle being`nearly but not equal, and a tie connecting opposite end faces of the pillow and adjustable in length to selectively restrict the bulging of thevend walls of the pillow.

16. A pillow comprising a case of freely flexible sheet material and filled with relatively soft. loose, elastic, pliable material, said pillow ,being .substantially triangular in transverse cross section and being completely filled without material compression of the filling material, said pillow having upon one or more of its side faces a shallow pocket extending in a direction endwise of the pillow, whereby when a book or magazine is placed on a face of the pillow having said shallow pocket, the lower edge of the book or magazine may be inserted in the shallow pocket whichv prevents sliding of the book or magazine downwardly on said face and the pages of the book or magazine will be held against turning byl the same pocket.

17. A- ysoft resilient pillow, of approximately pillow length, and having a book or magazine rest extending in a direction endwise of the pillow upon one of the side faces of the pillow.

18. A combination pillow and article support comprising a soft resilient'pillow or cushion, and

a rest member detachably connectable to the pillow `adjacent the end portions thereof, and when so connected lto the pillow abutting, and extending in a direction endwise along, a side face of said pillow, whereby when said pillow is supported with said face in an inclined position, said rest member may limit the tendency to slide, of a book, magazine or similar article which may be resting upon said inclined face.

EDWARD J. BARCALO. 

